Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Cumin Flat Bread (Paratha)

Parathais a flatbread that originated in the Indian subcontinent. When lived in Singapore I always bought some Indian curry and paratha home for dinner after work. The food stores made quite a few versions, plain, with egg, or mutton, or both. I don't know which is original which is creation by Indian immigrants, but they're all good especially just out from hot griddle, so they usually couldn't last before I reach home. Do try to make it yourself, some recipes don't require much skill except your passion in food... and herb! Yes, this one has cumin in it, the recipe is from Pooja'srecipe .
This time I had my cumin paratha with a vegetable, non-dairy but creamy (!) curry... the trick is from mashed beans... another recipe from Pooja (she makes excellent vegetarian dishes!). To go vegetarian all the way, I used vegetable oil instead of ghee in this paratha.

In a large mixing bowl, mix and knead flour, cumin, salt, oil and water, you're aiming for a soft but not sticky dough. Wrap, rest dough for at least half an hour

Divide dough into 12 pieces, each has a size of small lemon. Grease the work table, start from the first small dough (always cover those you're not working on), roll to a big circle, cover, then proceed to the second and so on (this way the gluten has time to relax, it's easier for you to roll further)

Take out the first round flat dough, brush oil, fold in half, brush more oil, fold again (please refer to Pooja's step photos). Roll it to a flat triangle about 1/2 cm thick, cover. Proceed to the rest.

Heat a big flat pan, well grease, cook the paratha over medium heat, in two minutes you should see it puff. Cook both side, brush more oil before turn, until the golden speckles appear. Total cook time shouldn't be more than 5 minutes.

Remember to cover the cooked paratha with towel to keep them moist. Serve warm.

Finally, I want to thank mallugirlover Malabar Spices who gave me tons of advice when I first tried paratha. Please check out her recipe in where you'll find many more tips and step-by-step photos

Hi Gettina, Nice effort ! and your paratha is absolutely delicious. great goin on . Btw, which link have you forgot of my post? let meknow if I can help you to search it . thanks for mentioning my name wlong with this post, it is almost the same way I made. Try making it more triangular next time ,its not that hard to keep it triangular. though in any shape parath tastes always yummy! thanks dear -Pooja

hey gattina...Let me wish u a very very happy new yaer for u and ur dear ones first.Happy NewYear Dear!! and ur parathas look great.I always make some stuffed parathas..but never made cumin or any other vplain parathas...but u really inspired me to do one.Thank uou gattina for sharing this and pooja too.Enjoy cooking!!